Uganda Declared Yellow Fever Free

Uganda Declared Yellow Fever Free

The Ministry of Health has officially declared Uganda a yellow fever free country.

Yellow fever was reported a few months back in the districts of Masaka, Rukungiri and Kalangala where 3 out of 7 victims who were confirmed with the virus lost their lives.

According to Prof. Anthony K. Mbonye, Director General Health Services who represented the Ministry in a press conference at its headquarters today, the yellow fever outbreak has been fully contained.

“Today, I have the honour and pleasure to inform the general public and partners that the 2016 Yellow Fever outbreak is fully contained,” Prof. Mbonye said.

On 7th April 2016, Yellow Fever was confirmed by Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) on 3 samples from Masaka.

Intensification of Yellow Fever Surveillance activities also confirmed Yellow Fever in Rukungiri and Kalangala districts on 13th April 2016 and 4th May 2016 respectively.

From 24th March to 4th May 2016, a total of 65 suspected Yellow Fever cases were reported from districts in the greater Masaka region.

Out of the total 65 suspected Yellow Fever cases, 7 cases were confirmed.

These were from Masaka (5), Rukungiri (1) and Kalangala (1). Three of confirmed cases died.

According to the Ministry of education, with support from World Health Organization (WHO), the CDC, ICG, GAVI, UNICEF and other partners, a reactive Yellow Fever Vaccination was carried out in these three districts.

Following the successful Yellow Fever vaccination campaign in the affected districts, no new cases of Yellow Fever have been confirmed since then.

The ministry however advises the public to continuously protect themselves from mosquito bites to stop further viral attacks, and always report any cases with bleeding tendencies and yellowing of eyes (jaundice) to the nearest health facility as soon as possible.